Wrestlers use up a lot of energy to become experts at their sport. This means that in addition to exceptional training, they also need excellent diets that su[ppport their physical activity. Knowing what to eat, when to eat, and what to supplement to boost your body and physical activity as a wrestler makes a huge difference.
Below is a fantastic diet guide that will help any upcoming wrestler. Note that this is not a perfect substitution for what you need to do. Instead, always work with your physician or dietitian to know what works best for you, depending on your health and dietary needs. A general guide on what pro wrestlers mostly need will help provide a road map for you if you are starting. Keep reading to find out more.
Focus on Weight
While weight may not be everything in wrestling, it certainly is essential and a significant factor when considering joining professional wrestling. This depends on the regulations of the state you are in. Different places have specific weight requirements for different wrestling categories that you need to pay attention to. It is best to always have the highest weight in your class. This means that you should do everything possible to attain the expected weight.
Take CBD gummies to help boost your appetite if you are struggling. It is advisable to consider losing weight slightly and join the next weight category if you are the last one in the type you want to be considered. In the lower weight category, with a bit of weight loss, you may be the best, which gives you an advantage as long as you are skilled and talented enough.
Wrestling is a combat sport, and as such, weight is a much-needed requirement that should not be taken for granted. It is one of the factors that may affect your acceptance or denial of joining the sport. There is a lot more to wrestling than just attaining the right weight.
Diet and Why it Matters
A wrestler’s athletic performance will be affected by the diet they are on. In addition to attaining their weight class, it is essential to be on the right diet to sustain the category you chose to enter comfortably. Note that the drinks and foods one consumes will determine how fast and energetic one becomes. Food also affects a wrestler’s overall mood, endurance levels, muscle recovery, and growth. With many things at stake, it is only reasonable that a wrestler prioritizes their diet.
Get your customized meal and diet plan because no two bodies are the same, no matter how alike they look. To know when you have the best impact, you may have to experiment with different food types, portions, and feeding times. In the end, you want to come up with a plan that works for you.
A typical wrestler’s diet should contain the following:
Breakfast
- Carbohydrates. Make sure to have a carb. This can be toast, oatmeal, microwavable pancake, half a bagel, or grits.
- Have one protein serving. This can be eggs, sausage, peanut butter, yogurt, or anything relevant
- Have 8oz of water at the end of breakfast
Make sure breakfast gives you energy for a productive morning, but it should not add more than a pound.
Lunch
- Ensure your lunch consists of one carbohydrate, one protein, and one fruit
- Choose a salad or sandwich for your carb-protein combo.
- Choose from various meats, including meat, and you can have a slice of cheese, but stay away from mayo and mustard for your sandwich.
- Salads can have chicken and salmon but should not have dressing, cheese, or croutons.
- Complete Lunch with a fruit of your choice. Down everything with 8oz of water.
Dinner
- Have a carb with vegetables and a protein at dinner
- Protein options include black beans, turkey, chicken, ground beef, lean steak, fish
- Carbohydrates can be baked in sweet potatoes, Whole pasta, brown rice, and whole wheat bread
- Use any vegetables, e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and whatever you can find.
Make sure your dinner is exciting by mixing different things of all the categories you require. This will enable you to eat right without getting bored, thus achieving your goals.
Snacks
It would be best if you ate a snack before your workout or practice session, even when you get back from work; a healthy snack is great to help you get control of your cravings. Stick to healthy snacks such as yogurt, granola bars, and peanut butter sandwiches.
Weight Gain and Weight Loss
Depending on the weight class you intend to join, you may have to lose or gain weight. It is necessary to know which diet to stick to either way. Understand the correct nutrition and diet plan by working with professionals. Not every diet procedure you find online is suitable for a wrestler. Each person has specific goals that can only be met by taking specific measures.
Note that walking this journey with your nutritionist is the best way to attain results. Just be sure to start your weight loss/ weight gain journey early enough to allow your body to get used to the process. Experts recommend starting a proper wrestler’s weight loss journey a month in advance.
Focus on clean eating and avoiding calorie-dense foods, especially if your goal is to lose weight and fit into a specific wrestler’s weight category. Also, drink enough water. There is no better way to lose weight as a wrestler than to sweat it off. This explains why it is highly recommended to drink lots of water after every meal.
Muscle Recovery Strategy
Wrestlers use up their muscles significantly. It is important to find ways to support muscle recovery and boost muscle growth; consider adjusting your diet too. In such a case, you need to focus on proteins. Include high protein foods in your diet and consume amounts that match your deficit. This means you have to work with a nutritionist to know the exact amounts you need.
Boosting Energy Levels
While some people swear that carb-dense diets are the best for energy boosts, others insist that protein-dense diets work better. You need to try out different diets and observe how they each work for you in such a case. This means you have to give yourself room for experimentation to determine what works best for you.
Final Thoughts
The best wrestlers are not necessarily born that way. However, with a deliberate system of practice and proper dieting, any determined wrestling enthusiast can grow to become the best in the field. Athletic prowess depends mightily on diet and exercise, so one must put in the right effort to succeed.
